OBU Day Takes Students into Churches

October 3, 2008

Oklahoma Baptist University students have an opportunity to gain first-hand experience in church leadership, while sharing with congregations what is happening on campus, through "OBU Day in the Churches," Sunday, Oct. 5. OBU students and staff will travel to 14 churches in the Northwestern Baptist and Panhandle Baptist associations for the event.

"OBU Day in the Churches is a great opportunity for students to gain practical experience in a variety of church atmospheres," said Jason Stein, an OBU senior Bible major and veteran of the event. "Student opportunities range from teaching Sunday School, preaching, leading worship, testimonies, and other options. My role in OBU Day in the Churches for the past couple years has usually been preaching at one church in the morning, then at another church later in the evening. I have also helped in the past to coordinate teams.

"The goal of OBU Day in the Churches is to provide experience for the students going out while at the same time encouraging, uplifting, and demonstrating to area churches the quality of the next generation of church leaders," he added.

The day also provides an opportunity for the Southern Baptist churches of Oklahoma to hear and see what is happening on the OBU campus, said Odus Compton, OBU's director of church relations.

"It is vital that OBU stays connected with the 1,700-plus Southern Baptist churches of Oklahoma in as many real and significant ways as possible, and OBU Day is one of those ways to connect," Compton said. "OBU is owned and operated by the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma and, therefore, by the Southern Baptist churches of Oklahoma, so it is very important for the connection to be as strong and vibrant as possible."